Daycare RecordChild care inspection records

DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart

813 Culpepper St., Yoakum, TX 77995 · Dewitt County
1 high-risk citation in last 12 months

DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart is a licensed child care center in Yoakum, TX, licensed for up to 48 children and serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers. It has held its Texas license since 2018. Since October 2021, state inspectors have visited 15 times and investigated 3 reports. Inspectors recorded 14 citations, 3 of them high-risk, most often for building & playground safety (4 of 14). 6 citations came in the last 12 months, including 1 high-risk. 7% were corrected during the inspection itself. Measured by risk-weighted citations per inspection, it is #3 of 7 centers in Dewitt County and better than 39% of licensed centers statewide.

Inspection record

Better than 39%of 9,147 Texas licensed centers, comparing risk-weighted citations per inspection. More citations than most
#3 of 7 centers in Dewitt County
3High risk
5Medium High risk
5Medium risk
1Medium Low risk
0Low risk
14 citations from 15 inspections and 1 reports since Oct 1, 2021 · 6 in the last 12 months · last inspected Apr 15, 2026

Every state visit

20222023202420252026INSPECTIONS (top) · REPORTS & INVESTIGATIONS (bottom)Apr 15, 2026 · Inspection · citation foundOct 27, 2025 · Inspection · no citationOct 21, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationOct 14, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundAug 19, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJul 22, 2025 · Inspection · no citationJul 18, 2025 · Report/investigation · citation foundMay 29, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMay 22, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMay 20, 2025 · Report/investigation · no citationApr 22, 2025 · Inspection · no citationMar 13, 2025 · Inspection · no citationFeb 28, 2025 · Inspection · citation foundMay 2, 2024 · Inspection · no citationApr 23, 2024 · Inspection · citation foundMay 10, 2023 · Inspection · no citationApr 28, 2023 · Inspection · no citationMar 1, 2022 · Inspection · no citation
Citation foundNo citation

What inspectors cited most

Building & playground safety4
Food & feeding3
Staff ratios3
Training & qualifications2
Records & paperwork1
Caregiver conduct1

Citations, newest first

MediumApr 15, 2026InspectionFood & feeding
Written Feeding Instructions - Signed and Dated by Parent or Health-Care Professional §746.2421(a)
One infant lacked an infant feeding instructions.
Correction verified Apr 15, 2026
Medium LowOct 14, 2025InspectionRecords & paperwork
Required Personnel Records - Required Affidavit (Form 2912) §746.901(5)
Three out of six employee files evaluated lacked a pre employment affidavit on file.
Correction verified Oct 15, 2025
Medium HighOct 14, 2025InspectionTraining & qualifications
Documented Annual Training - Caregivers of Children Under 24 Months Required §746.1309(d)
Four out of six employee files evaluated lacked current SIDS/Shaken Baby training.
Correction verified Oct 15, 2025
Medium HighOct 14, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Safety - Areas Free From Hazards §746.3701
There is an opening on the playground between the ground and the lattice in which children may crawl through. In addition, one board on the walk way is detached and lifted up, posing a hazard.
Correction verified Oct 27, 2025
HighOct 14, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months §746.5101(a)
The operation did not have a current fire inspection on file.
Correction verified Oct 23, 2025
MediumOct 14, 2025InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Children's Products- Annual Certification §746.4135(b)
The children's product safety recall list had not been certified within the past year.
Correction verified Oct 15, 2025
HighJul 18, 2025Found during an investigationCaregiver conduct
Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual §746.2805
Based upon preponderance of evidence gathered it was determined that a caregiver used inappropriate discipline, by throwing a tablet, which resulted in a child being struck.
Correction verified Aug 19, 2025
Medium HighFeb 28, 2025InspectionFood & feeding
Nutrition and Food Service - Drinking water available at every snack, mealtime, and during and after active play §746.3301(f)(1)
Children did not have drinking water available during outdoor play.
Correction verified Mar 13, 2025
MediumFeb 28, 2025InspectionStaff ratios
Background Check Validation - Every 3 months each operation, other than a licensed, registered, or listed home, must validate current list §745.651(2)(A)
The employee list was last validated 9-3-24.
Correction verified Feb 28, 2025
Medium HighFeb 28, 2025InspectionTraining & qualifications
Report Change in Director §746.303(a)(4)
The operation failed to notify Child Care Regulation there was a change in director.
Correction verified Feb 28, 2025
Medium HighApr 23, 2024InspectionBuilding & playground safety
Safety - Areas Free From Hazards §746.3701
The gate on the playground had an opening large enough for a small child to fit through.
Correction verified May 2, 2024
MediumApr 23, 2024InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Support inclusive services §746.501(a)(30)
The operational policies lacked information regarding children with special needs.
Correction verified May 2, 2024
MediumApr 23, 2024InspectionStaff ratios
Written Operational Policies - Criteria for Extreme Weather §746.501(a)(18)(F)
The operational policies lacked the criteria that will be used to determine if weather is appropriate for outdoor play.
Correction verified May 2, 2024
HighApr 23, 2024InspectionFood & feeding
Mark Cleaning Supplies, Toxic Materials; Keep Separate from Food and Inaccessible to Children §746.3407(12)
Purell sanitation wipes were observed on the ground in two bathrooms. Note: This was corrected when the wipes were stored out of the reach of the children.
Corrected during the visit

About this center

Licensed capacity48 children
Ages servedInfant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten
Hours07:45 AM-03:15 PM
DaysMon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Licensed sinceApr 24, 2018
DirectorMaria Capetillo
Phone3612123642
State operation #1665634- 11191

Common questions

Does DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart take infants?

Yes. Texas licenses it to care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

What are DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart’s hours?

7:45 AM to 3:15 PM, Monday through Friday, according to its state licensing record. Confirm holiday and summer hours with the center.

Does DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart accept child care subsidies?

Not according to its state licensing record. Ask the center directly, since participation can change.

Has DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart had any serious violations?

Inspectors recorded 3 high-risk citations since 2021. The most recent was on Oct 14, 2025: “Annual Fire Inspection - Before Initial Permit Issued and Every 12 Months.” Each one is listed in full above.

How does DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart compare with other daycares in Dewitt County?

It is #3 of 7 centers in Dewitt County by risk-weighted citations per inspection, and is better than 39% of licensed centers statewide (out of 9,147 Texas centers with enough inspection history).

When was DeWitt-Lavaca Early Headstart last inspected?

Apr 15, 2026. Inspectors cited at least one rule during that visit.

Licensed centers nearby

Citations are quoted from Texas HHS inspection records. Many are corrected the same day, and a citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall.

To see the official record, search operation 1665634- 11191 on Search Texas Child Care. Data refreshed Sep 30, 2026.